Acupuncture: What is it and how does it work?

Time to read: 5 minutes

I am a huge acupuncture nerd.  When I am evaluating a patient’s case I like to see it first from a Western (conventional medicine) point of view and then I’ll look at it from an Eastern (Traditional Chinese medical) point of view.  I think of acupuncture in the same way which is why I’ll explain both the Western and Eastern theories behind how acupuncture works. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a 3000-year-old medicine that is based on observation of nature, observation of people and finding the root cause of an issue.  I find it pretty amazing ancient Chinese scholars were able to make these connections so long ago and the medicine that evolved from it is still alive and thriving today.

Acupuncture is one method of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  It involves the insertion and manipulation of very thin needles (about the size of a human hair) through the skin at specific points throughout the body.  These acupuncture points are located along specific meridians or paths.  Think of meridians like rivers that flow in certain paths along your body.  The water in the river can be running smoothly and flowing naturally.  Alternatively, there can be obstacles in the river that cause the water to become turbulent.  There can also be deficient water in the river for it to run smoothly.  The water in the river can be too hot or too cold for optimal flow.  Like we see in nature, an issue at one place in the river will affect the flow of the water downstream as well. 

The same can happen with meridians and this flow is called, “Qi.”  In a natural, healthy state, the flow of Qi is smooth and uninterrupted.  However, when the flow of Qi is disturbed for whatever reason, we start to see symptoms of illness manifest.  By inserting acupuncture needles into the meridians at certain points, we can manipulate the flow of Qi and allow it to flow more freely.  

Now for the Western perspective on how acupuncture works.  I was surprised to learn that all but 1 of the 361 acupuncture points are located near a network of nerves.  The function of nerves is to convey electrical signals or impulses to and from the spinal cord, brain, muscles and organs so appropriate reactions can occur.  For example, when you burn yourself, it’s the nerves nearby the injury that will tell your muscles to get away from the heat!  When an acupuncture point is stimulated, a similar reaction is happening.  The nerve near the acupuncture point transmits a signal to tell the body that there is an issue that needs to be resolved.  Thus, initiating the body’s innate ability to heal!

If you want to get even more scientific (if not, I won’t be offended if you skip this paragraph), the stimulation of nerve networks through acupuncture points causes the release of neuromodulators that can have various effects on the body.  For example, it can cause the release of neuromodulators (nerve growth factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor) to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.  It causes release of endorphins, serotonin and natural opioids to reduce pain and improve mood.  Acupuncture modulates the nervous system to improve heart rate, heart rate variability and improve blood pressure – all signs of a parasympathetic or relaxed state in which healing can occur. 

The scientific literature on exactly how acupuncture works is still evolving.  The fact that this form of medicine has been around for 3000 years speaks to its effectiveness.  Just to put that into perspective, Pfizer (a major pharmaceutical company) has only been around for 172 years! 

A major concept in naturopathic medicine is that the body has an innate ability to heal if you provide it with the foundations for health and remove obstacles to cure.  In my practice, I use acupuncture as a way to “re-circuit” the flow of Qi (Eastern perspective) or electricity (Western/ nerve perspective) to reset the body into a state that healing can occur in. 

If you have any questions or are curious about acupuncture please book in a free 15 minute “Meet and Greet” where we will meet and discuss if acupuncture would be a good fit for you.